After Homewrecker vocalist Matt Barnum was accused of sexual assault and misconduct by several women -- some of whom were underage at the time -- drummer Matt Izzi issued a statement (seemingly also signed by guitarist Paul Aloisio and bassist Dalton Edwards) saying that Barnum had been kicked out of the band. However, several similar allegations against Izzi also arose, and now MetalSucks reports that Alosio and Edwards have both issued their own personal statements, saying they have quit Homewrecker.
Alosio first wrote:
I need to speak.
I am crushed beyond belief. Absolutely devastated that one of my band mates and someone I considered to be a best friend lived this secret life that hurt so many people. I am sorry that I have not said something sooner, I wanted to hear everyone’s stories as they came forward.
I truly believe Matt Barnum is sick and for being so close to him I feel an immense amount of guilt. For being too naive to see what was right underneath my nose. In the past I can remember one specific instance in which he had made someone I knew uncomfortable, and when I told him to make things right he apologized to that person. I’m obviously not going to add this girl’s name out of respect. I had thought that was the extent as to how far anything like this could go. I was very, very wrong about that. His issues go way deeper.
I trusted him and I believed his lies. I am disgusted, furious, sick to my stomach, and so remorseful that I was so blind to it. I just wish I had known.
I am so sorry if by being in Homewrecker I in any way helped to enable this behavior. I put everything I had into it, I was passionate about the music and what we could accomplish as friends.
Homewrecker was one of my favorite bands before I joined. I looked up to these guys and I never in a million years would have thought that this would be the outcome. Anyone who knows me, who really knows me, knows that I would never stand for this. I feel like I was manipulated into trusting him and being there for him as a friend. But my feelings aren’t worth half as much as the women speaking up now, they have been betrayed, manipulated, and we need to listen to their stories.
I will listen to what you have to say and I will believe you, I will support you and I hope you are able to heal. If there is anything i can do to help, i will do it without question.
And then clarified:
It goes without saying beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am no longer a part of Homewrecker. I alpologize if that was not clear with my statement yesterday.
I don’t know what the future holds for me, I don’t know if I ever even want to play in a band again, and I feel so sick about everything, but for right now the thing everyone needs to know is that I cannot stay in that situation for a moment longer.
Edwards posted an Instagram, which reads in part, "I regret ever being a part of this band and I want absolutely nothing to do with the name."
Izzi was also a member of Scorched, who fired him. He also played in Crypt Rot, who aren't currently active, but who vowed to move on without Izzi if they ever play again.
Code Orange, for whom Barnum worked as a road crew member, also issued a statement and will be donating proceeds from their next livestream to RAINN.
Homewrecker's label Good Fight Music swiftly dropped the band following the first few allegations against Barnum and one against Izzi.
Allegations against both Barnum and Izzi continue to come out at the @survivingmattbarnum Instagram page.
This story may still be developing.
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If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline 24/7 at 800.656.HOPE (4673). More info at RAINN.org.
